deadline
DED-line
/ˈdɛdlaɪn/
The latest time or date by which something must be completed.
Implies a strict, often unchangeable, cutoff point. Missing it usually has consequences.
The story behind the word. The word 'deadline' has a surprisingly grim origin! It first appeared in American Civil War prisons, referring to a literal line or boundary beyond which prisoners would be shot if they crossed. By the early 20th century, it had evolved to mean a time limit, especially in journalism, where missing a 'deadline' meant your story was 'dead' for that edition.
Word relationships
- due date: Often used for academic submissions, slightly less severe connotation than 'deadline'.
- cutoff date: Emphasizes the point at which something ceases to be accepted.
Collocations
- meet a deadline
- miss a deadline
- tight deadline
- firm deadline
- upcoming deadline
Idioms & expressions
- race against the deadline
Example sentences
- "I'm really stressed because the deadline for my history essay is tomorrow." A student talking about their essay.
- "We must meet the project deadline, or we risk losing the client." A project manager addressing their team.
Memory hook
If you don't meet the DEADLINE, your work is DEAD. Dead line, dead work
When not to use
Avoid using 'deadline' for flexible or suggested completion times; 'target date' or 'due date' might be softer alternatives.
Fun facts
- The earliest known use of 'deadline' in the sense of a time limit was in 1917, in a newspaper context.
Related words
Explore more words
against the clock, beat the clock, at the eleventh hour, in the nick of time, mandatory, procrastinate
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